When it comes to Li Chengqi, many people may be unfamiliar, but when it comes to Li Longji, they are generally familiar with the famous Tang Minghuang and Tang Xuanzong. Li Longji was not the eldest son of his father Li Dan, he was the third and was known as Sanlang. And his elder brother was Li Chengqi. While others fought fiercely for the emperor, Li Chengqi chose to voluntarily give up the position of heir to the throne to his younger brother, Sanlang Li Longji. According to the ancient imperial succession system, Li Chengqi had priority over Li Longji in inheriting the throne. Apart from being the eldest son of the emperor, he was also the only legitimate son of Li Dan, which means that Li Chengqi was the legitimate eldest son and undoubtedly the most reasonable heir.
No one hates becoming a top person, becoming the supreme ruler of the Ninth Five Year Plan, and enjoying glory and wealth, which is everyone’s dream. But the better the location, the more people will compete. Li Chengqi once served as the Crown Prince, when Li Dan first ascended the throne. But Wu Zetian also wanted to become the emperor, and the knowledgeable Li Dan chose to abdicate voluntarily, clearing the way for her mother to ascend to the throne. Although she is the grandson of Empress Wu Zetian, the surname Li no longer exists in the world, and even a slight mistake could result in losing her head. Li Chengqi’s mother, Empress Su Ming, and Li Longji’s mother, Empress Dou Defei, were falsely accused of cursing Wu Zetian and were executed. Members of the Wu family kept a close eye on Li Dan, who was the heir to the throne, and repeatedly wanted to get rid of him. This growth experience had a great impact on Li Chengqi’s life. Being a member of the imperial family was not an honor for him, but a burden and threat.
After the Shenlong coup, the Li family’s world was finally restored, and although Li Chengqi could feel relieved. However, the era of peace and prosperity had not yet arrived. Li Xian, who inherited the throne, was the uncle of Li Chengqi. Faced with threats from the Wu family, the Five Kings of the Divine Dragon, and the Wei family of the Empress, Li Dan was gradually excluded. Li Xian, who had been reinstated, passed away in just a few years. It is rumored that he was poisoned to death by Empress Wei. The government was once again unstable, and Li Longji, together with his aunt Princess Taiping, launched a coup to eliminate Wei and enthrone Li Dan as the new emperor. But for Li Chengqi, the danger still exists. As the two leaders of the coup, Li Longji and Princess Taiping were eyeing the imperial power with covetousness, and they were not their opponents at all. To save one’s life, one must resist the temptation of power and release the heir to the throne.
After Li Chengqi relinquished his position as crown prince, he received praise from Tang Ruizong’s Li Dan and also had great support for his younger brother Li Longji, who was competing for power with Princess Taiping. After Li Dan abdicated and Li Longji ascended the throne, he did not settle the accounts of Li Chengqi, who was more suitable for inheriting the throne, and gave him high praise and many rewards. Li Chengqi did not become angry or arrogant in his speech or behavior when he asked for the position of crown prince to be given to Li Longji. Instead, he was more cautious and careful. Li Longji respects his cautious elder brother even more and has no suspicion. After Li Chengqi’s death, Li Longji posthumously conferred the title of “Emperor Rang” on his elder brother. The word ‘Rang’ reflects Li Longji’s feelings towards his elder brother in the past. Although Li Chengqi did not have the chance to become emperor alive, he was posthumously honored as emperor after his death.
Give up the position of crown prince, reflecting Li Chengqi’s wisdom. People often have desires and ideas, especially when they still have the opportunity to fulfill them, they will try their best to maintain their status. In history, many eldest sons who held the position of Li Chengqi lacked the ability and strength themselves, but insisted on their positions, either being overthrown by those who coveted the throne or having their heads dismembered; Either it leads to the slaughter of flesh and blood, causing panic among the people, the country cannot be governed, and the people cannot live in peace.
A person should have self-awareness. Li Chengqi was able to retreat bravely in a hurry, although he could not achieve the prosperity of the Kaiyuan era like Li Longji, nor did he witness the Tianbao Rebellion that caused the decline of the dynasty. He could not do it himself. The most important thing is that Li Chengqi had a good life. To achieve great things and become a person is an ideal, but giving up is also a wisdom when the ideal is too far from reality. Not in his position, not seeking governance, is also a good life. I don’t know if Li Longji, who experienced the An Lushan Rebellion and fled to Shu in haste, can realize that power can sometimes be poisonous when recalling his past? Trapped in the quagmire of war, unable to extricate himself, father son suspicion and no family ties, he grew old in the position of the Supreme Emperor, which was almost under house arrest. A fallen aristocrat is not as good as a village man who lives in the mountains and forests. He should cherish and pursue his ideals, whether he does or does not, and only hope to be happy in his heart and body.
